Velveteen Rabbit

In 5-6C, we have been learning about the Velveteen Rabbit during our English unit. We have been studying the text of the Velveteen Rabbit because it explores heartfelt themes of love, loss, and the thought of reality through a simple and well-loved story.

The primary theme of the velveteen rabbit is the transformative power of love and the journey of becoming “real” through love, experience and a sense of belonging. The story emphasizes that true worth comes from genuine connections.

To understand the story, we built some background knowledge, where we discussed and learnt about the illnesses, the lives of children and the toys they played with during the 19th century.  The background information we learnt includes the following. In the 19th century, infectious diseases were spread and a major cause of death, particularly among children.  Some of the illnesses include tuberculosis, smallpox and Scarlet Fever which were most common among the most significant threats. Therefore, these infectious diseases were dangerous due to having limited or no cures.

During this time, children's lives varied depending on their social class and location. Non affluent (unwealthy) children often worked long hours in factories or mines, facing dangerous conditions and low wages. Meanwhile affluent (wealthy) children and their families experienced a more protected childhood focused on education and social graces.

The children played with various toys. Affluent children often played with porcelain dolls, dollhouses, toy soldiers, toy trains, rocking horses and clockwork toys. Compared to unfortunate/unwealthy children, who on the other hand, might have had rag dolls, corn husk dolls or toys made from repurposed materials like rocks wrapped in yarn for balls or vines for skipping ropes, some children didn’t even get to play with toys.

From reading this story, we have learnt that you do not need to look or be like everyone else to belong. This is a good thing so students can learn that we may look, or be different to others, but we are all worth the same and everyone is different in their own unique ways.

By Nikki and Maggie on behalf of 5-6C

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